Self-rated diabetes control in a Canadian population with type 2 diabetes: associations with health behaviours and outcomes.

Abstract Aims Diabetes control is a multifaceted process involving successful adherence to a self-care regimen as indicated by improved health outcomes. The aim of this study was to ascertain the construct validity of self-reported diabetes control in a population-based survey. Methods This study assessed 1848 participants with type 2 diabetes who took part in the Montreal Diabetes Health and Wellbeing Study in Quebec, Canada. Participants were administered the diabetes complications index as well as sociodemographic and health questions. Results Fair/poor diabetes control was associated with being less likely to check blood glucose weekly, being less likely to drink alcohol, being more likely to report being physically inactive, reporting fair/poor eating habits, being obese and having 1 or more diabetes complications. When all variables were included in a regression model the two variables most strongly associated with poor fair/poor diabetes control were reporting fair/poor eating habits (odds ratio 1.36, 95% CI 1.00–1.85) and having 2 or more diabetes complications (odds ratio 1.60, 95% CI 1.06–2.40). Conclusions Results from this study indicate that self-rated diabetes control has associations with diabetes-specific self-care behaviours and outcomes, and is a general indicator of self-care and diabetes-related complications in a population-based survey.